In Bacchus Marsh, about an hour west of Melbourne, there’s a little bar doing big things. It’s called The Local Taproom. It’s a cosy, pokie-free, TV-free, all-Aussie oasis founded by Carly Myers, her husband Chris Lambert, and his mum, Jen.

And while the drinks are cold and the music’s always on point, what really makes this place special isn’t on the menu. It’s the sense of connection, of belonging, of home.

“It’s a place to socialise, to meet with friends and family,” Carly says. “We wanted to offer an alternative to the other pub options in the area. There are no pokies, no screens blaring footy from every angle. Just people, chatting over a 100 per cent Australian-owned drink list. Locals supporting locals.”

A lightbulb moment… in the shower

The journey to The Local Taproom began, as many great stories do, with tragedy, a pandemic, and a shower epiphany.

“Just before Christmas 2019, Chris’ dad suddenly passed away,” Carly shares. “It was a huge shock. Chris’ mum moved in with us because she couldn’t stay on the property alone, and then COVID hit. We were all grieving and trapped in the house during lockdowns. It was such a difficult time.”

But out of that pain came clarity.

“We started to really think about how short life is. How anything can happen at any moment. Life’s too short to be unhappy. So we decided to do something we wanted to do, not something we had to do.”

And that’s when the lightbulb moment struck,  in the shower, of all places. “Chris came out one morning and just said, ‘Let’s open a bar.’ And it just clicked.”

Expanding the options

In a town where the only options for a night out were noisy pubs full of pokies and TAB screens, the trio saw an opportunity.

“We wanted a space that felt different. Somewhere you could actually hear each other speak. Somewhere you might discover a new craft beer or Aussie spirit you’ve never tried,” says Carly.

But opening a bar in a regional town during a pandemic? That takes guts,and a fair whack of creativity.

“We opened while restrictions were still in place, so it was definitely a rocky start,” Carly admits.

“Then the cost of living started rising, interest rates climbed, and suddenly our regulars who used to come every week were only coming once a month.”

Rather than hike prices, they took a different route.

“We absorbed two years’ worth of CPI increases to keep prices down. We watched every cent. But most importantly, we started running events, trivia, music bingo, poker, cornhole, to give people a reason to keep coming out. It worked.”

A bar that’s more than a bar

Ask Carly what she loves most about running a regional business, and the answer is immediate: community.

“We’ve met some amazing people. Our circle of friends has grown so much. We’ve watched local families grow, seen their kids grow up. It’s such a privilege.”

The Taproom has become more than a watering hole, it’s a community hub.

“We run weekly events, we’ve got a used record store inside the venue, and even a mini library where people can borrow or swap books,” Carly says.

“We’ve collaborated with local businesses for everything from catering to printing. It’s all about keeping it local.”

And while they haven’t hired staff just yet, it’s definitely on the cards. “We hope to bring on some help soon. For now, though, it’s just us three — Chris, Jen, and I — doing the lot. Pouring drinks, frying snacks, running events, cleaning up, ordering stock, managing the books. When we say we’re owner-operators, we mean it!”

Building a community within a community

When asked to pick a proudest moment, Carly’s quick to respond but she can’t pick just one.

“There’s a moment that keeps repeating, and it gets me every time,” she says. “We’ve created a place where people make new friends. New Bacchus Marsh residents come in, meet locals, build connections. Older residents find support and friendship. We’ve built a community within the community, and that’s something we’re really bloody proud of.”

The regional setting has definitely shaped the way the trio do business. “You have to stay nimble and diversify. That’s why we added the record store, the library, the events. People might think running a bar is all beer and good times, but there’s a lot of hustle behind the scenes.”

And staying connected in a regional town? Word of mouth is king.

“We use our website and socials, sure, but honestly, it’s the local grapevine that brings people through the door.”

Regional resilience

Of course, no journey like this happens in a vacuum. Carly is quick to shout out the legends who’ve supported them along the way. Particularly Paul and Julian from Holgate Brewhouse in nearby Woodend.

“They’ve been there since day one, donating time, merch, even free stock for events. They’ve shared knowledge; supported us through thick and thin. Absolute legends.”

And while they don’t attract the tourist traffic of coastal towns or wine regions, Carly says they’ve learnt to “roll with the punches” and adapt. That’s her top advice for anyone thinking of launching a business in regional Australia:

“Be prepared to diversify and roll with the punches.”

What’s next on the agenda?

Carly says the team is currently working on expanding their snack menu to include more meal-style options. No small feat in a tiny venue with no kitchen.

“We’re trying to figure out how to make it work with the space we’ve got. It’s tricky, but we’re committed. Hopefully, we’ll have new menu items out in the coming months.”

And being named a finalist in Business Builders Regional Heroes competition? That hit home.

“It’s an honour. Running your own business isn’t always easy or fun. It’s endless work and a lot of stress,” says Carly.

“Our community helps keep us going, but this kind of recognition makes it all feel worth it. Thank you.”

If you ever find yourself in Bacchus Marsh, do yourself a favour: pop into The Local Taproom. Step inside, and you’ll find Cathy, Chris or Jen pouring a pint, spinning a cracking playlist, and probably a game of trivia or bingo in full swing, plus it’s guaranteed there will be plenty of locals enjoying the fun.

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